PSM Club Racing 17th July 2008
Report thanks to Mick Kneale
The Thursday evening dinghy racing at Port St Mary took place in light winds, although just before the start a threatening showery squall had gone through, persuading some juniors to head for the slipway.
Nine boats took part in the final session for the Murray Gawne Cup. Pete Hinds set a windward/leeward course for race one and a P-course for race two.
In race one, Andrew Williams and Tom Cringle sailing the RS400 led at the end of lap one. The National 18’ of Mick Kneale, Phil Hardisty and Donald Edwards passed Peter Barlow, Baggi Ingram and Tony Randle in the other 18’ on the first run. Peter’s spinnaker pole system was damaged and he couldn’t use his kite. At the end of 4 laps the 18’ had got just ahead of the RS400 to win. Ali Hinds did well on her Radial to take third place on handicap.
At the start of race two, Kneale’s 18’ touched the committee boat and had to do a 720, after which the fleet already had gone 100 metres up the beat. Over the P-course, the RS400 had no trouble keeping ahead and Barlow retired in mid-race as the wind faded – very slow without the spinnaker in these conditions. Kneale & Co scraped back to second place by the finish. Ali Hinds managed a commendable 4th behind the Wayfarer sailed by John Dowling and Terry Holt.
Race one: 1st M Kneale (Nat.18), 2nd A Williams (RS400), 3rd A Hinds (Radial), 4th J Dowling (Wayfarer), 5th P Barlow (Nat.18), 6th A Gullan (Laser), 7th M Pridham (Radial), 8th L Collins (Radial), 9th J Lakeman (Pico)
Race two: 1st A Williams, 2nd M Kneale, 3rd J Dowling, 4th A Hinds, 5th A Gullan, 6th M Pridham, 7th L Collins, 8th J Lakeman.
The Murray Gawne Cup was won by the National 18 sailed by Mick Kneale, Phil Hardisty and Donald Edwards with 6 wins and 2 second places in the four session/eight race series.
